Together with Mary our Mother, our Catholic Community welcomes all to receive, live and share the Divine Mercy that comes from Jesus. We are a community of faith that thrives on the sacramental life of the Church. On behalf of the clergy, staff and parishioners of Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, we welcome you to our family of faith. We truly hope that you allow us to serve you in whatever way we can, and we invite you to be a full and active participant in our parish. Please come and celebrate with us each week and make this community an extension of your family. Welcome Home!

Reconciliation:Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 9:30 - 10 am at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, from 3:15 - 4:15 pm in the Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, and by appointment.

Christmas Mass Schedule

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Action Needed!

At the State Level:

Brothers and Sisters,

S2474, the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, will be voted on in the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizen's Committee soon, possible as early as November 3. An identical bill, A2451, passed the General Assembly on October 20. The bill would allow for physicians to prescribe drugs to end the lives of individuals considered to be terminally ill.

This assisted suicide bill is a direct threat to anyone viewed as a cost liability to an insurance company. In an era of cost control and managed care, patients with lingering illnesses may be branded as an economic liability, and decisions to encourage death could be driven by cost.

The facts are clear - in California, in Vermont and in Oregon - states that have passed assisted suicide bills - insurance companies have denied individuals healthcare coverage but offered them low cost drugs to end their life.

One of the issues this act would address: In late June, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services declared, contrary to the plain meaning of current federal law, that the state of California can continue to force all health plans to cover elective abortions. (See the USCCB fact sheet, “HHS Refuses to Enforce Weldon Amendment” for more details on this decision.) New York has already followed California’s lead. How many others will follow suit?

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Sun, Dec 4th

Something to think about...question for this week

"So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Jesus warned us to be ready for His return and the advent of the end-time. How are you preparing yourself? Do you feel a sense of urgency?

(Remember - though it varies from person to person, it generally takes no less than 21 days to develop a new habit. It also takes discipline, courage and determination on a daily basis.)

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome— for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us— this great land will always be "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

What is God calling you to do?

Discernment groups are meeting now for those men discerning a call to the priesthood, as well as for women discerning a call to the religious life to help answer the question, 'What is God calling me to do?'.More information can be found by contacting the Diocesan Office for Vocations at 583-2864.

Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish

is a Roman Catholic parish serving central Gloucester County, New Jersey. Our parish community was formed from the former parishes Our Lady Queen of Peace in Pitman, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Glassboro. We are a part of the Camden Diocese, under the leadership of the Most Reverend Dennis Sullivan.